Qingdao Port
The age of the smart port has arrived
At Qingdao Port in China, two PortaSmart Ship Unloaders are redefining how bulk grain moves through one of the world’s busiest maritime hubs. Combining LiDAR scanning, real-time sensing, and autonomous control, Qingdao Port has achieved record-breaking unloading performance – pointing the way toward the next generation of smart ports.
Rocco Chen, September 2026
As global trade patterns shift and countries strengthen food security and supply chains, the pressure on ports is increasing. Nations are investing heavily in import infrastructure – from high-capacity silos to advanced terminals – to handle growing volumes efficiently and reliably.
In this environment, competition between ports is intensifying. To attract shipping companies, operators must offer not only capacity, but also speed, reliability, and consistent performance. Fast vessel turnaround times, minimal berthing delays, and high safety standards have become decisive factors.
At the center of this transformation lies automation. Traditional, operator-dependent unloading processes can limit efficiency, create variability, and introduce downtime. At the same time, ports face labor shortages, rising safety requirements, and the need for greater process transparency.
Qingdao Port: a gateway to global trade
Located on the Yellow Sea, Qingdao Port is one of China’s largest and most technologically advanced maritime hubs. It connects to more than 700 ports in over 180 countries and regions. Since it opened to international shipping routes in 1992, it has continued to expand, investing in automation, advanced digital infrastructure, and green logistics.
Today it is one of the world’s busiest multi-purpose ports and a key hub for bulk dry cargo such as grain and oilseeds. It is the fourth largest port in China, with a cargo throughput of over 700 million tonnes in 2025 and regularly sets world records for container handling efficiency. Qingdao Port’s scale, efficiency, and regional connectivity make it strategically vital to China’s trade and logistics system.
“Qingdao Port has always been at the forefront of port innovation,” says Mr. Liu Minghui, Equipment Supervisor of the Fixed Machinery Dept, Dongjiakou Branch, Qingdao Port. “We are continuously improving our facilities and our services for our customers. For this project, we decided to introduce fully Smart Ship Unloaders in order to improve efficiency, reduce berthing times, and lower service costs.”
To meet these goals, Qingdao Port partnered with Bühler to deploy two Smart Ship Unloaders – the first of their kind for bulk grain handling worldwide. It also helped that Bühler has a strong local presence and implementation expertise in China.
Turning ambition into reality
From the outset, expectations were high. “When we met the team from Qingdao Port in 2022, they told us they wanted the most advanced, safest, fastest, and highest-quality solution,” says Jacky Zhang, Vice President of Grain at Bühler Greater China. “With our advanced digital and automation solutions, and our deep industry knowledge, we were confident we could deliver this.”
The Bühler team carried out a comprehensive investigation to better understand how to convert these requirements into detailed specifications. It meant using emerging technology and collaborating closely with the customer and partners. The solution was developed by leveraging LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanning technology, advanced algorithm-driven 3D modeling, digital twins, and intelligent monitoring.
“The team at Qingdao Port already had experience of applying cutting-edge technology such as LiDAR and cloud-based systems – they have their own terminal operation and equipment control system. Our task went beyond simple connectivity: we fully integrated our unloader into their operational ecosystem and automated the machine itself, from positioning and hatch detection to optimized unloading and autonomous repositioning,” says Mr. Zhang. “We turned a manually operated unloader into an autonomous system at the heart of a complete smart solution.”
One challenge the team faced was that the port was so busy that there was no time to carry out every physical test on site. “We established a dedicated task force to review the plan and adapt it to the demanding on-site conditions, allowing us to deliver reliably despite the port’s intensive schedule,” says Andy Li, Director of Grain Quality at Bühler Greater China.
The team from Qingdao Port told us they wanted the most advanced, safest, fastest, and highest-quality solution. With our advanced digital and automation solutions, and our deep industry knowledge, we were confident we could deliver this.
Jacky Zhang,
Vice President of Grain at Bühler Greater China
Another challenge was the continuous vertical movement of the vessel during unloading caused by tidal changes and the shifting cargo load. The system had to be able to compensate for these movements in real time.
“This is quite demanding and combined with the harsh environmental conditions at the terminal requires a robust real-time control system. We built digital twins of the complete system, covering both its geometry and the live position of the unloader,” says Mr. Li. The algorithms continuously identify the optimal unloading point within each hatch and automatically reposition the unloader as the operation progresses. In parallel, a separate condition-monitoring module tracks vibration and temperature to safeguard the equipment’s maintenance status.
From manual operation to autonomous performance
The process of unloading the grain is carefully orchestrated at every step. The LiDAR system scans the ship to determine its geometry and the location of the hatch. GPS-based positioning combined with LiDAR and multi-sensor arrays enable precise location tracking and reliable collision avoidance. The smart control system continuously calculates the optimal path using real-time sensor data to deliver smooth, efficient, and uninterrupted loading and unloading operations.
Previously, this was handled manually by an operator sitting high up in the operator’s cabin, often working in hazardous conditions. With the new PortaSmart unloaders, the machines operate autonomously – no operator is needed at the machine or on the pier. From a remote-control room, a single supervisor can monitor and manage several unloaders at once, with the option to take full manual control remotely at any time. Removing personnel from the pier during operations dramatically improves safety while raising productivity.
Intelligent operations mean real-time information collection and calculation, closed-loop control, and continuous optimization of the operation process, dynamically adjusting the ship loading and unloading schedule through data analysis to improve efficiency.
Advanced algorithms minimize downtime by optimizing every movement – significantly increasing throughput while reducing both time and operational costs. Multi-directional sensor arrays ensure precise positioning and deliver enhanced equipment protection, all based on live data and real-time feedback.
All of this translates into increased productivity, reduced labor intensity, and improved safety. Faster shift changeovers and smarter equipment positioning reduce delays, and equipment downtime is reduced by up to three hours per day.
Breakthrough performance
For Qingdao Port, the benefits go beyond operational improvements. Faster unloading reduces vessel waiting times and enhances service levels, strengthening the port’s competitiveness in global trade.
The new Smart Ship Unloaders are also breaking records. On April 25, 2025, thanks to PortaSmart, Qingdao Port set a new industry record for grain terminal unloading by unloading 66,626 tonnes of bulk grain in just 22 hours and 57 minutes. Then on November 26, 2025, the record was broken again by unloading 68,250 tonnes of wheat in just 21 hours.
The smart and automated functions come on top of the existing advantages of Bühler’s unloaders, with their low energy consumption, low grain breakage, and environmentally friendly operation. The enhancements significantly improve handling efficiency and operational stability.
“This was a great example of open innovation with our customer and partners to introduce the latest technology and build a solution,” says Mr. Zhang. “We continuously work to support ports in moving towards automation, intelligence, and informatization, and contribute to the efficient circulation of global bulk grain trade.”
“The PortaSmart is a true gamechanger,” says Mr. Liu. “With the successful completion of this project, Qingdao Port has set a new benchmark for smart port operations. The positive impact will be felt widely as it helps to strengthen the processes that safeguard China’s food security.”
Qingdao Port, located in Jiaozhou Bay, China, is one of China's largest and most technologically advanced maritime hubs, connecting ports in over 180 countries and regions worldwide. Bühler installed two PortaSmart automated unloaders which autonomously plan optimal unloading paths and sequences.
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